More than two years "into the gestation of The Undefeated, ESPN’s website about sports and race, the site exists in digital limbo," according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. The site "has no start date," and "no permanent leader." Its seven writers "are still reporting stories, but they must find editors in other parts of ESPN because the site lacks an editorial infrastructure." The Undefeated "is a shell of what it aspires to be: Its home page serves only to link to eight articles, three of them posted since the departure of Jason Whitlock, the site’s founding editor in chief." Whitlock "was ousted two months ago, reportedly amid concerns about his divisive management style." The current plan "is to post one piece a week until a launch that may not happen for several more months." Many, "including those inside and outside ESPN, have begun to wonder if it will happen at all." The site’s problems "might have led to its demise long ago" if not for ESPN President John Skipper’s "passionate support." But sources said that Skipper’s confidence in The Undefeated "had been met with ambivalence by a key deputy." The sources said that ESPN Exec VP/Global Strategy & Original Content Marie Donoghue "this year inherited oversight of the venture and has voiced interest in folding it into ESPN.com." However, Donoghue "disputed that characterization." Skipper in June asked ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine senior writer Howard Bryant "to help him assess what The Undefeated should be post-Whitlock." Bryant's involvement "led some to believe that Bryant might replace Whitlock, but his participation soon shifted into a holding pattern as the search for an editor in chief continued" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/21). The latest piece from a writer listed under a "The Undefeated staff writer" byline was Wednesday's item from Justin Tinsley, who wrote under the header, "How Marvin Gaye's NFL Tryout Changed His Career" (THE DAILY).
